University College Birmingham Bakery

University College Birmingham Bakery

Bakery level 2 Certificate & Level 3 Diploma

Overview

You will develop practical skills in bread and confectionery, working in our state-of-the-art bakery areas as you broaden your knowledge of the industry and develop skills to an advanced level.

Why should I choose this course?

You will get a thorough training in a broad range of bakery products

You will learn about chocolate work

You will be able to develop special interest areas such as celebration cakes and artisan bread

There are opportunities for research into further specialist production

You will boost your confidence and improve your employment prospects

Why maths and English are so important to your career

Achieving a good level of English and maths is important so that you can compete in today’s labour market and securing the career you’ve always wanted. Alongside your full-time course, students will continue to develop their English and maths skills. If you haven’t yet achieved GCSE grade 4 (grade C) in English and maths at 16 you will continue to study these by resits or by taking Functional Skills at an appropriate level.

Maths:

Mathematics plays a vital role in the culinary arts, bakery and the food and beverage sectors.

Measurement (including weighing) is an important in cooking/baking and serving food and drink properly. This applies in following a recipe or in serving alcohol in the correct measurements. There are many tools, such as measuring cups, measuring spoons and scales, which are used in food/drink preparation.

Being able to read both temperature and time and make suitable adjustments in both is vital in food/drink preparation.

Fractions are very important in recipes and determining serving sizes.

Geometry is used by top chefs and bakers in the presentation of food and baking in order to make them aesthetically appealing.

Nutritional data informs choices about health and the role of a balanced diet. This includes issues to do with calories, sugar, sodium and fat. This is important for those creating menus.

Maths is also central in successful stock management which is vital in running restaurant, bakeries and bars.

English:

Accurate spelling and a wide and specialist vocabulary are key in the presentation of quality menus

Good quality Speaking and Listening skills are needed when communicating with colleagues

Customer services skills require good English skills in speaking and written communication

Accurate reading is a vital skill when following instructions and recipes

Secure English is important when preparing a CV or a business proposal or when advertising/marketing your business

Bakery and product development laboratories

Take a look around some of our baking and product development laboratories, all of which include specialist equipment such as large planetary machines, industrial ovens, Koma computer-controlled retarder provers, steam ovens and specialist chocolate-production equipment.